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How to start consulting?

I’ve been in the SEO game now for about a year with Market Motive Practitioner training/certification. I was the only in-house SEO person at my very small company. I fully admit I still have a lot to learn and having the Moz community helps because I have no one else to collaborate with. Still, I would like to start offering some simple services like local seo, blogging or creating content. Do you think these are good services to start consulting with? I admit the tech part is still a challenge to me.

4 Responses

First, I agree with EGOL that you absolutely have to be able to show value.

Second, given where you're at on the learning curve and your own admission about being challenged by technical SEO, I think it might be premature for you to be thinking about branching out on your own.

If I were you, I'd be looking for a position in a highly regarded existing SEO company. Figure out what you're good at NOW, and offer up those services. Be open and honest about your desire to learn and to eventually branch off on your own. Also set a realistic time frame during which you'll dedicate yourself to your new company and give them your all. Hunker down, do a good job, and learn as much as you can about technical SEO AS WELL AS how to run a small business. At the end of your allotted time frame, re-evaluate. You may be surprised at what you discover.

I received great answers to my question but Donna's seems to hit home. I do find my self feeling that I'm lacking in "real-world" SEO experience. Luckily I love to learn and I guess its never to late to do that even at 51 yrs of age. I am passionate about this field so going to put in 100% commitment!

One of the finest thing I did when I plan to quite the job and start to offer services, I started to treat myself like an annoying client who have a less budget and expecting big! I started giving myself timelines for my own projects and targets that I have to achieve within that timeline.

Once I pass through that exam I start with a service that was easily scalable and was producing value to the overall picture.

My advice to you is to do the same, test your skills and talent, challenge yourself and once you pass your own exam, you probably will be ready to offer services to your clients. If you really care your client’s money and your reputation and wanted to play safe start with one service that adds value to the big picture and then let your clients suggest you to start full service consultation.

Any service that can produce measurable positive value for your client is a good one to start consulting with.

The question is... Are your skills and expertise strong enough to produce value? Can you point to at least a few items of content that are at the top of the search engines for valuable queries or that have pulled in massive traffic that resulted in conversions? Have you taken small businesses from invisible on the web to the top of local search in a moderately competitive market?

Anybody can say... "I can do blogging". When it comes down to numbers most of those blog posts pull in less than a dozen visitors per month.

So, if you have numbers that would make a client smile and deliver them at a price that works for you then you are ready to offer the service.

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